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Hull's Philogene poised to re-join Aston Villa

A close up head and shoulders picture of Jaden Philogene, wearing Hull's black and amber striped kit looks across the camera and slightly to his leftImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Jaden Philogene came through Villa's academy and made six appearances before joining Hull last year

  • Published

Hull winger Jaden Philogene is expected to re-join Aston Villa after their late move for the England Under-21 star.

The 22-year-old is flying back from Hull's pre-season training base in Turkey and should finalise a move over the weekend.

He is due to sign a five-year deal after less than 12 months away from Villa Park.

Villa made a late move to hijack Ipswich's bid to sign Philogene after the Tractor Boys agreed an £18m deal with the Tigers.

Unai Emery's side triggered their matching rights option to equal the offer for Philogene, who came through the Villa academy.

They sold him to the Tigers last September but retained a buy-back option under certain conditions.

It is understood Villa inserted a clause meaning they would have three days to match any bid once a deal had been agreed.

It was left up to the player to decide whether he wanted to move to Portman Road or Villa and he has now decided on a return to Birmingham.

Villa are able to offer Champions League football after finishing fourth in the Premier League last season.

Philogene had initially been left at home by the Tigers at the start of the week but flew out to join his team-mates.

He made six appearances, but just one start, for Villa after coming through the club's academy and had loans spells at Stoke and Cardiff.

Crystal Palace were also interested in Philogene but decided against a move as a deal was deemed too expensive.

He scored 12 goals in 32 games for Hull last season as they finished seventh in the Championship.

Ipswich, promoted from the Championship last season after coming second, are close to signing Manchester City striker Liam Delap in a £20m deal.

He played for Hull alongside Philogene last season while on loan with the Tigers from the English champions and scored eight goals in 32 appearances.